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Wetland ecosystem sustainability over human wildlife conflict in and around taluka, Kachchh district,

1Ajoy Das, 2Shital H. Shukla, 3Pankaj N. Joshi, 4Pradeep P. Prajapati 1Cartographer and Research scholar, Department of Geography, School of Sciences, University, Ahmedabad-380009, Gujarat, India. 2Associate Professor & Head, Department of Geography, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad-380009, Gujarat, India. 3Executive Director, Sahjeevan, Bhuj- 370001, Kachchh, India. 4 Professor & Dean, Department of Economics, School of Social Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad-380009, Gujarat, India.

Abstract

Ecological diversity on a global scale would be the variation in ecosystems, such as forests, grasslands, deserts, wetlands, and oceans. Ecosystem sustainability is the ability of an ecosystem to maintain a balanced state, even after a stress or disturbance has occurred due to the human-wildlife conflict around any region. The conflict zones of wetland ecosystem are increasing day by day. It was observed that in this mixed thorn forest habitat area is very significant where maximum species comes under the threatened category. This study attempts to identify bioregion and threatened region by using multi criteria-based model through geospatial technology. The major cause for the loss of floral diversity is habitat disintegrations. Some threatened floral species are identified in the region like Limonium stocksii, Dipcadi erythraeum, Talinum portulacifolium, Indigofera caerulea var. monosperma and Ipomoea kotschyana, Commiphora wightii, Helicrysum cutchicum, Convolvulus stockii and Heliotropium rariflorum. Invasion of Prosopis juliflora in other thorn forest area is still going and they are facing the problem of habitat disintegration. Threatened birds were observed like, Parus nuchalis, Pelecenus crispus, Ardeotis nigriceps, Sypheopides indica, Aythya nyroca and Aquila heliaca, Chlamydotis undulate. Five species of reptiles observed from the IUCN list (Molur and Walker, 1998) Sara hardwickii, Echis carinatus, Cytrodactylus kacchensis, Varanus bengalensis, Coelognathus helena. From this region five threatened species of mamals observed also i.e. Canis lupus, Vulpes bengalensis, Hyaena hyaena, Panthera pardus, Felis silvestris, Felis chaus, Viverricula indica (Pardeshi et. al. 2010). Ecosystem of this region affecting due to the temporal variation in climate, change in physiological set up and legal and illegal mining by the people also. As a result, the present status of all the wetlands and its ecosystem either disturbed or in critical stage due to human conflict. This area needs immediate measures to form a suitable habitat zone for the wild animals.

Key words: 1.Biodiversity, 2.Conservation, 3.Habitat, 4.Invasive species, 5.Natural Resources, 6.Wetland.

Introduction

Kachchh district has highest wetland (51.72%) area among the all district of the Gujarat state. This study found a remarkable change in the wetlands after the year 2003 and again after 2010. Ecosystem stability is the ability of an ecosystem to maintain a balanced state, even after a stress or disturbance has occurred due to the human-wildlife conflict around any region to maintain its sustainability. Lakhpat taluka had a great correlation of both flora and fauna species which were distributed around the region by its own nature. The conflict zones are increasing day by day around the wetland ecosystem areas with human intervention. Kachchh district is believed as a biosphere reserve for its wildlife and plant ecosystem. It was observed that mixed thorn forest habitat area is a preservation substantial habitat area which defines maximum species comes under the threatened category. The major cause for the loss of floral diversity is habitat disintegrations. Some threatened floral species are identified in the region Limonium stocksii, Dipcadi erythraeum, Talinum portulacifolium, Indigofera caerulea var. monosperma and Ipomoea kotschyana, Commiphora wightii, Helicrysum cutchicum, Convolvulus stockii and Heliotropium rariflorum (Patel et. al. 2018). Invasion of Prosopis juliflora in other thorn forest area is still going and they are facing the problem of habitat disintegration. As per the published report wetland habitat accepting only three threatened species i.e. Ammania desertorum, Dipacdi erythraeum, Ipomoea kotschyana, has high preservation substantial. Including this Limonium stocki and Talinum portulacifolium which were suggested preservation of their habitat for the survival (Patel et. al. 2018). Threatened birds were observed like, Parus nuchalis, Pelecenus crispus (Dalmaian pelican), Ardeotis nigriceps (Great Indian Bustard), Sypheopides indica (Lesser Florican), Aythya nyroca (Ferruginous poachard) and Aquila heliaca (Imperial eagle), Chlamydotis undulate (Houbara Bustard). Five species of reptiles observed from the IUCN list (Molur and Walker, 1998) Sara hardwickii (Spiny-Tailed Lizard), Echis carinatus (Indian Saw-Scaled Viper), Cytrodactylus kacchensis (Banded Rock Gecko), Varanus bengalensis (Common Indian Monitor), Coelognathus helena (Common Indian Trinklet Snake). From

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this region five species of mamals observed also i.e. Canis lupus (Indian Wolf), Vulpes bengalensis (Indian Fox), Hyaena hyaena (Striped Hyena), Panthera pardus (Common Leopard), Felis silvestris (Desert Cat), Felis chaus (Jungle Cat), Viverricula indica (Small Indian Civet) by Pardeshi et. al. 2010.

Location of the study area:

The Kachchh Peninsula located between 22° 44' 8'' to 24° 41' 30'' North latitude and 68° 7' 23'' and 71° 46' 45" East, forms the western most part of India and constitutes the Kachchh district of Gujarat State. This district has occupied 45652 sq.km area of Gujarat state. This district has 10 talukas namely Bhuj, Gandhidham, Anjar, Rapar, Mandvi, Bhachau, Mundra, Nakhtrana, Abdasa and Lakhpat. Lakhpat taluka of Kachchh district has been selected as a representative for this research. Lakhpat taluka is recorded with last conserve tropical thorn forest in our country, with having Narayan Wild Life Sanctuary and many Reserve Forests, which are very significant for unique biodiversity. Lakhpat taluka is also recorded with maximum deposition of minerals including lignite, which is economically very rich resource. So, for better planning on utilization of natural resources (including the wet-land areas) and biodiversity conservation in this taluka, this study is very beneficial. On the other hand, there is an urgency to plan industrialization and other developmental activities. The geographical extension of this taluka is 23° 24'N to 23° 50' North Latitude and 68° 25'E and 69° 12' East Longitude.

Figure No. 1: Location Map of Lakhpat taluka, Kachchh District, Gujarat, India

Review of literature As per the notification dated 31st May, 2012 of ministry of Environment and Forest, New Delhi S.O. 1257(E) stated that “The Wildlife Sanctuary falls under a separate biotic province of the country and represents a distinct gene pool of Indian region which possess abundant grass land, coastal areas with dense patches of mangrove forests, partial wetland due to the coast line and around 45 lentic wetlands of varying sizes and it provides home to many rare and threatened species like Chinkara, Caracal, Wolf, Leopard, Spiny tailed Lizard, Desert Cat, Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Floricon, Houbara Bustard etc. This area is relatively very rich in minerals like Lignite, Lime Stone, Bentonite and bauxite. So, the ministry has declared the Narayan Sarovar Wildlife Sanctuary area as Eco-sensitive Zone from the ecological and environmental point of view to conserve and protect the area around the protected area defined by the Ministry”. International Status: Warner B.G. (2006), “Knowledge Gaps and Challenges in Wetlands under Climate Change in Canada”, in his research had shown the wetland threatened biodiversity in different parts of Canada. As per the notification from Ministry of Environment and Forest the mining activities were stopped. At present the scenario defines that the ecological sensitive zone has more problems which are needed to solve. Durate et al. (2018) in their research justified that the freshwater ecosystems are facing most endangered environments in the world and affected at multiple scales by the surrounding

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landscape with the different infrastructural human activities. As per their study it is highly recommended that the ecosystem of fresh waterbodies requires conservation and management. The methods and models they applied as River Network Toolkit (RivTool) for analyzing the different types of hierarchical river network which is associated by the surrounding landscape. Marull (2015), described the application of an intermediate disturbance complexity approach to land-use change using ecological functionality as a proxy of biodiversity. A landscape approach allows consideration of the results of integration of environmental, economic, and social systems in time and space and the more general process of ‘‘environ-mental bio-diversification’’ that influences environmental resources (Agnoletti 2014). It is also one of the major facts that the diversity of a unit area will affect the wildlife habitat of the ‘Landscape and biocultural diversity’ (Agnoletti, 2015). Many species at risk of extinction in the United States are declining because of habitat loss and degradation (Hodges & Elder 2008). Wetlands are the most productive ecosystem on the earth surface (Ghermandi et al., 2008), and they always providing many crucial services to the human society (Ten Brink et al., 2012). Wetlands are ecologically sensitive and adaptive systems (Turner et al., 2000). The risk of wild fire is increasing which could change the species biodiversity. Climate change is a threat to the diverse hotspots (Succulent Karoo, South Africa).

National Status: Some threatened floral species are identified in the region Limonium stocksii, Dipcadi erythraeum, Talinum portulacifolium, Indigofera caerulea var. monosperma and Ipomoea kotschyana, Commiphora wightii, Helicrysum cutchicum, Convolvulus stockii and Heliotropium rariflorum (Patel et. al. 2018). Invasion of Prosopis juliflora in other thorn forest area is still going and they are facing the problem of habitat disintigration. As per the published report wetland habitat accepting only three threatened species i.e. Ammania desertorum, Dipacdi erythraeum, Ipomoea kotschyana, has high preservation substantial. Including this Limonium stocki and Talinum portulacifolium which were suggested preservation of their habitat for the survival (Patel et. al. 2018). P. Joshi et al, 2015 suggested that the total population of the golden jackal, about half of the golden jackals were mostly found in the Prosopis juliflora dominated habitat with an occurrence of 46.90%. Habitats like Euphorbia scrubs, Prosopis scrubs, thorn mixed scrubs, open scrubs, thorn mixed forests with Acacia Senegal, A. nilotica and Salvadora mixed considering the high floral diversity and unique vegetation assemblage of this range, it has been suggested that, this tract and adjoining sites may be declared as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) (Joshi 2002). According to A. Rathore et al., 2013 the ecosystem mainly divided into few sub systems where desertification is expanding and the temperature making them drier and intolerable in terms of the threatened species. Based on Nikunj B. Gajera et al. 2013, observation in this Kachchh region the bird species are widely distributed among various habitats around the western Kachchh region. According to Nitin Bassi et al., 2014 observation the wetland wealth of India in terms of their geographical location, ecosystem benefitted but due to various stresses like land use changes in the catchment area, they went under the disturbed or threatened wet-land ecosystem. Encroachment of reservoir area for industrialization, excessive diversion of water for agricultural practices are yet a major problem (Verma, 2001). Due to lack of good governance and management are also main reason for the wetland ecosystem disturbance (Kumar et al., 2013). National Wetland At-las 2011, prepared by SAC, is the latest inventory on Indian wetlands.

Objective The main objectives of this study are as follows- I. To prepare a standard spatial database for land use/ landcover pattern in the wetland ecosystem region. II. To analyze the water efficiency around the study area. III. To identify the suitable and threatened zone for the wildlife. IV. To find out the human-wildlife conflict areas of the wetland ecosystem region.

Materials and Methods

This study has followed the several methods to fulfill the objectives. The methodology for the generation of different thematic map layers is discussed. The temporal diversity of the wetlands is discussed in this section. Data used for database generation: Spatial data: a) Topographical sheets (at 1:50,000 scale) have been downloaded from Survey of India (SoI) website. The number of the topographical sheets are F42C06, F42C07, F42C09, F42C10, F42C11, F42C12, F42C13, F42C14, F42C15, F42D02, F42D03. b) Satellite imageries- For this Study Resource Sat-1 & Resource Sat-2 satellite data (2009, 2015 and 2017) have been used for temporal (Pre monsoon & Post monsoon) analysis. The Resource Sat-2 LISS-III satellite data of 12th December 2017, collected from ‘Sahjeevan’ (NGO, Bhuj) and rest of the data downloaded for free of cost from NRSC (National Remote Sensing Centre) website, Bhuvan portal, ISRO, Hyderabad of Govt. of India. Ref: website (www.earthexplorer.usgs.gov).

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Non Spatial data: Census data (2001 & 2011) from Directorate of Census Operation, Census of India, District Census Handbook.

Figure No. 2: Flow Chart for Methodology

Methods for Primary Data source: Primary data of various natural resources and their association with the local environment, is collected by the field observation. Primary data were collected by using the stratified random sampling method. The whole study area classified into eight main biodiversity cluster zones. According to polarimetric divisions of the whole region (N, NE, W, S-SW, SE, E, NE, CENTRAL), there were eight clusters formed. These clusters were formed by considering three parameters namely Location with direction, 3Km of buffer from reserve forest area and convenient admirative boundaries. The focus group discussion was conducted during the field visit with local people/ Maldhari community to collect the information regarding availa-ble wild animals in the region, agricultural activities, seasonal pressure on wetlands (i.e. due to irrigation), flora diversity in the region (for local name of the plants) etc.

Methods for spatial database of lulc (objective-i):

The detail process for the creation of spatial database of land use/ land cover is discussed in this section. The extracted remotely sensed Resource Sat 2 LISS-III satellite image-ries were geo rectified and classified by applying maximum likelihood method of supervised classification technique. Fifteen classes were identified on each image (Table no. 1) for the generation of LULC (source: Level -IV land use land cover clas-sification, NRSC, ISRO, Hyderabad). Finally, the accuracy assessment has performed on the classified image by plotting random points on the satellite images. The accuracy was more than 85% which according to Kiefer and Lillesand (2000) is said to be the threshold of good classification result. KAPPA analysis was also performed on the classified image. Thus, the first objective of the study was fulfilled with the LULC geodatabase including 15 LULC categories (Table no.1).

Methods for temporal variation in wetlands (objective-ii):

The detail process for the creation of temporal variation in wetlands is discussed here.The temporal changes had shown in this map for the year 2009, 2015 and 2017 as well. To justify the second objective of the study pre and post monsoon satellite data and field observation data were applied. The water availability and its defeciency for wild animals was found. 417 Thematics Journal of Geography Volume 8 Number 4 October 2019

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This data sets were prepared from the Drainage and Waterbody geodatabase through overlay analysis. Thus, the second objective of this study is fulfilled with the drainage and waterbody map including various waterbody categories (Table no.1).

Table No. 1: Land use Land cover Image Classification Schema.

Methods for identification of the suitable and threatened habitat zone (objective-iii): The detail process for identification of the threatened habitat zone (Warner et al., 2006) is discussed here. This database consists of different thematic layers like available waterbodies for the year December 2017, reserve forest areas, road and transportation network, land use/ land cover of the year December 2017, mining site location, 3 kms. road buffer, 1 kms waterbody buffer, 3 kms buffer for the builtup areas etc. With the help of overlay analysis and condition based factor analysis (Table no. 2) the threatened habitat zone for the wild animals of the Lakhpat taluka is identified by the habitat suitability model. Thus, the third objective of the study is fulfilled with the identification of the Threatened Habitat zone Map geodatabase considering various affecting factors for the wild animals (Table no.2).

Methods for the human-wildlife conflict areas of the wetland ecosystem region (objective-iv): The detail process to find out the human-wildlife conflict areas of the wetland ecosystem region is discussed here. This database consists of different thematic layers like available waterbodies for the year December 2017, reserve forest areas, road and transportation network, land use/ land cover of the year December 2017, mining site location, 3 kms. road buffer, 1 kms waterbody buffer, 3 kms buffer for the builtup areas etc. With the help of overlay analysis and condition based factor analysis (Table no. 2), the suitable and threatened habitat zone for the wild animals of the Lakhpat taluka is identified. The major and minor human wildlife conflict sites has identified through analysing the sentivity of the region.

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Table No. 2: Various factors responsible for the threatened habitat and the suitable habitat for wild animals.

Result and Discussion

As per the notification “No mining and crushing shall be allowed within the radius of 3 kilometers from the outer boundary of the Narayan Sarovar Wildlife Sanctuary as per the direction of Hon’ble Supreme Court order dated 7th May 2010, in SLP 13658/1996”. In this ecological sensitive zone has 28 villages among 100 villages of the Lakhpat taluka. So, the wetland ecosystem of other associated villages of the Taluka also needs to keep in a good state. This study is very important because, the status of the present scenario of this taluka including the Narayan Sarovar Wildlife Sanctuary with other associated village is very crucial for the ecological diversity of this region. Spatio temporal analysis of the ecological diversity of Lakhpat taluka, of Gujarat, had done. This study is under semi- arid region. Land use land cover map (Figure no. 3 and 4) is showing that the 43.4% (916.7sq.kms) of the total area is covered by the open scrubland which comes under the thorn forest in this Lakhpat taluka. Another major land use landcover category is land without scrub which is 20.9% (441.3sq.kms) of the total area. High saline area is also a major land use category in this region. It is covering 13.9% (293.5sq.kms) of the total area. Total mining area is 1% (20 sq.kms) including lignite, limestone and laterites. Basically, most of the mining area is under the GMDC (Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Ltd.), a Govt. of Gujarat under taking organization.

Fig Figure No. 3: Land use / Land cover Map (data:December 2017) of Lakhpat Taluka, Kachchh District, Gujarat

Data Sources: Resource Sat -2 Liss-III satellite imagery, NRSC, ISRO, Govt. of India.

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Fig Figure No. 4: Land use / Land cover coverage (December 2017) of Lakhpat Taluka, Kachchh District, Gujarat

The digital image processing techniques had used to categorize the different natural objects i.e. wet land, vegetation species, built up land rural and built up land urban, grass land, salt pan, mangrove, mud flat area etc. South- eastern and eastern part of Lakhpat taluka is surrounded by the semi hilly terrain. This area is under the semi-arid region and ecologically very dynamic in nature. The land use land cover diversity had identified from the pre-monsoon and post monsoon data. Agricultural practices is also seen around the region, specially near the Nara village on eastern side, other villages such as Mudhan, Siyot,Ghaduli, Lakhapar, Virani, Dayapar on north eastern portion and Junagiya, Sambhada, Bhadra nana, Bhadra mota, Dedrani, Jagaliya, Kotda, Kharai, Murchbana, Junagiya, Kotda, Jagaliya, and Matan n Madh etc. etc. villages on the southern portion. There are 100 villages and few industrial complexes seen in this region. This taluka has 2.4% (52sq.kms) mangrove forest of the total area and most of the region comes under the eco sensitive zone. The mangrove ecosystem is in danger due to some natural and artificial activities along the coastal region. This kind of activities are giving the upcoming threat message to the coastal ecosystem and for our mother earth also. From the analysis of the imageries observed that the vegetation cover of this Lakhpat taluka has decreased compared to October 2009 LISS- III satellite data with December 2017 data (Figure no.3). The western part of this taluka is showing the increase of Prosopis juliflora plant species more and it is spreading very fast over the region.

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Figure No. 5: Temporal Wetland variation Map of Lakhpat Taluka, Kachchh District, Gujarat

Data Sources: Directorate of Census Operation, Census of India, District Census Handbook, and Resource Sat -2 Liss-III satellite imagery, NRSC, ISRO, Govt. of India.

Post monsoon Resource Sat-1 LISS-III satellite data of 31st October 2009 is showing that the density of water bodies very high in the Panandhro village area due to lignite mining activities by the GMDC (Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Ltd.) developed in early 1970. The lower south eastern part of Lakhpat taluka is surrounded by Matan n Madh, Lifri, Dedrani, Kotda, Kandhora, Jagalia, Bharapar, Bhadra Mota, Laksh-mipur (Bhun), Ustiya (Bondiya), villages had also more numbers of water bodies which were large (Figure no. 5). During the summer season (pre-monsoon) the most affected biodiversity cluster zones due to water deficiency are north (near the villages of Lakhpat, Sinapar, Punrajpur, Pranpar etc.), north- east (near the villages of Chhuger, Siyot, Mudhan, Bana, Guneri, Lakhapar, Sayra etc.), north-west (near the villages of Sheh, Godhatad, Mudiya, Bhudha, Naredi, Kayari, Kanoj, Kotesvar etc.), west and south-west (near the villages of Kunri, Guhar Nani , , Hamankhudi, Rodasar Lakki, Lakhmirani, Mori, Bhujpar, Pipar, Hothiay, Naredo, Maniara, Jadva, Kharoda, Kharai, Harudi etc.) region (Figure no.6). The wild animals of these regions are surviving in hard condition. Government need to focus on these specific regions during the pre-monsoon season or may create any other sources of drinking water for their survival. The wild animals of these region are travelling more than 30 kms daily for drinking water and as a result they need to enter the human conflict areas because there is no other way for their survival. After the long journey they are supposed to find out a waterbody but for this they had to immolate their life many times because for this journey they need to cross over populated areas, heavy road traffics, mining areas from their habitat areas. Biodiversity zone 6 that is in south east region of Lakhpat taluka is comparatively safe equivalent to central zone as biodiversity zone 9 also because of the heavy mining activities. These two regions have open cast lignite mining. As the number of waterbodies increased and in the same way the pollution on water also increased which is harmful to the wild animals in this region.

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Figure No. 6: Temporal water deficiency of Lakhpat Taluka, Kachchh District, Gujarat

Sources: Resource Sat -2 Liss-III satellite imagery of April 2015 and December 2017, NRSC, ISRO, Govt. of India.

Figure No. 7: Suitable habitat Zone Map for wild animals of Lakhpat Taluka, Kachchh District, Gujarat

Sources: Resource Sat -2 Liss-III satellite imagery of December 2017, NRSC, ISRO, Govt. of India.

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The white patches inside the map (Figure no.7) is showing the bio-region (shade patches in Figure no.8 and 10) that means the suitable habitat region for the wild animals. Total habitat zone (Table no.3) is about 299.9sq.kms where the identified eco sensitive area is 230.33sq.kms. and safe zone is around 69.57sq.kms. of the total area (Figure no. 8). Figure No. 8: Suitable habitat with Threatened Zone map of Lakhpat Taluka, Kachchh District, Gujarat

Sources: Resource Sat -2 Liss-III satellite imagery of December 2017, NRSC, ISRO, Govt. of India.

Table No. 3: Total eco sensitive and safe zone area (in sq. kms) for wild animals of Lakhpat taluka.

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Figure No. 9: Total eco sensitive and safe zone area (in percentage) of Lakhpat Taluka, Kachchh District, Gujarat.

Figure No. 10: Wetland Ecological Diversity map of Lakhpat Taluka, Kachchh District, Gujarat

Sources: Resource Sat -2 Liss-III satellite imagery of December 2017, NRSC, ISRO, Govt. of India.

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Figure No.11: LULC categories distribution around the suitable habitat region of Lakhpat Taluka, Kachchh District, Gujarat

Sources: Resource Sat -2 Liss-III satellite imagery of December 2017, NRSC, ISRO, Govt. of India.

Most of the suitable habitat area is under the thorn forest which is defined as the open scrub land (Figure no. 11). As per the analysis and the result some portion of land without scrub also comes under the suitable habitat and this area is suitable for the reptiles.

Figure No. 12: Human Wildlife conflict zone map of Lakhpat Taluka, Kachchh District, Gujarat

Sources: Resource Sat -2 Liss-III satellite imagery of December 2017, NRSC, ISRO, Govt. of India.

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The red big size star in the map (Figure no.8,10 &12) is defining the highly conflicted areas and those areas need immidiate intervention for the wild animals. There are several accidental fact happening day by day over the year. This site also suggested for the develpoment of wildlife corridor. If the corridor will made the accidental death of wild animals will be reduced.

Conclusion The environmental degradation and the human wildlife conflict are adversely affecting not only the physical environment, but also the quality of life. The status of maintaining ecological stability to sustain life has been lengthy in India. This study has been completed with the higher accuracy-based land use/ land cover map with temporal variation in wetlands and a suitable habitat with threatened zone identification of the Lakhpat taluka. The threatened or eco sensitive areas as high to low in category has been identified. Not only the disturbed wetland ecological area was identified, there was suitable habitat zone also identified in and around the Narayan Sarovar eco sensitive zone and the wildlife corridor site also suggested for the betterment of wildlife ecosystem sustainability. Anyone who is interested to do any biodiversity conservation management plan from the grass root level for the Kachchh district, this database will be very useful to them, especially for the Gujarat Government. It will help to take any conservative decision for the development of any part of the Kachchh district. This attempt will be more useful for future planning through this study.

Acknowledgement I sincerely thankful to my guide Dr. Shital H. Shukla, Head Department of Geography, Gujarat University and Dr. Pradip P. Prajapati, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Gujarat University as my co-guide for their continuous support during my research work. Without their support and guidance this research could not have been done. I am also thankful to Dr. Pankaj N Joshi, Executive Director of Sahjeevan, Bhuj, and all Sahjeevan team members for their whole-hearted support during my research work. Finally, I am very thankful to my parents, wife and my son during my research work.

References

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[17] Joshi, P.N and Vijay Kumar, V. (2009) “Monitoring and Evaluation of Forest Development Agencies (FDAs), East Division, Kachchh” - Gujarat (2006-07 and 2007-08). Report submitted to: Gujarat State Forest Department, East Division, Kachchh Circle, Bhuj. Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology (GUIDE), Bhuj, Gujarat. 32 pp. [18] Joshi P. N et al, (2009), “Local perceptions of grassland change and priorities for conservation of natural resources of Banni, Gujarat, India”. Journal of Front. Biol. China.; 1-8. [19] Joshi, P.N. et al. (2007), A. Kumar and V.Vijay Kumar. “Medicinal Plants Conservation Areas (MPCAs) Project: Kachchh District”, Gujarat. Report submitted to: Gujarat State Forest Department, Kachchh Circle, Bhuj, Kachchh. Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology (GUIDE), Bhuj, Gujarat. 68 pp. [20] J.S. Bhatti, R. Lal, M.J. Apps (2006), M.A. Price, “Climate Change and Managed Ecosystems”, by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC [21] Oswin D Stanley (2004), “Wetland Ecosystems and Coastal Habitat Diversity in Gujarat, India”, Journal of Coastal Development, Volume 7, Number 2, February: p 49-64. [22] Patel R. M, Dabang Y.B (2018), “Distribution and Some ecological observation on threatened plants of Western Kachchh, Gujarat”, International Journal of Life Sciences research, Vol.6, Issue 2, pp (162-170). [23] Patel Y. S. (2010), “Herbaceous Biomass Productivity of Banni Grassland, Kachchh, Gujarat”. Science Excellence, Organized by Gujarat University, Ahmedabad and Gujarat Council on Science and Technology, Gandhinagar; BOP1. [24] Priyanshu Joshi et al. (2015) “Population status and habitat use by golden jackals in semi-arid Landscapes of western kachchh, India” International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Vol. 6, Issue, 4, pp. 3507-3510 [25] Space Application Center (2010), National Wetland Atlas: Gujarat, SAC/RESA/AFEG/NWIA/ATLAS/21/2010 Space Applications Centre (ISRO), Ahmedabad, India, 198p.

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